Vietnam has entered the group of a few countries that have successfully controlled HIV transmission among drug users, Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long said at the 2021 United Nations HIV/AIDS Summit on June 8.

The country has a rate of HIV-infected people receiving antiretroviral (ARV) treatment with a viral load below the inhibitory threshold reaching 96%, contributing to reducing community HIV infection, Long said.

He added that fifteen years ago, drug injection was the main cause of HIV transmission in Vietnam, with HIV prevalence among drug users was at about 30%, but now it is only 10%.

Long said that over the course of 30 years coping with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Vietnam has comprehensively and effectively implemented anti-HIV activities thanks to the Vietnamese Government's drastic direction, the active participation of the community, the valuable support of the international community, and the proactivity of the national medical system.

Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long speaks at the event. Photo: Kinhtedothi.vn

Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) program is seen as the most effective way to prevent the spread of HIV among drug users in Vietnam. 

“There have been nearly 53,000 patients receiving Methadone treatment in 63 provinces and cities. The program has brought high efficiency and positive impact on economy, society, and security," Long emphasized.

In addition, the country has synchronously implemented many intervention programs in a wide range to prevent HIV transmission, including condom distribution and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (The course of HIV drugs taken by HIV-negative people to protect them against HIV infection).

Minister Long thanked the international community for its support in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Vietnam.

He affirmed that Vietnam will make efforts to adopt 95-95-95 goals in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief priority, which aim to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030 by achieving 95% of people living with HIV know their HIV status, of whom 95% are on antiretroviral treatment and of whom 95% are virally suppressed.

In 2014, Vietnam became the first country in Asia to adopt the 90-90-90 targets set by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS.